The Actor's Revealing Musical Selections: From Early Loves to Unexplained Dislikes

The initial track I fell in love with
My most primal memory is entering a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon shouting: “Full speed ahead!” When it got to the refrain, I recall believing: “This must be music!”

The very first record I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to select a brand new record to play at the mini disco we had on Fridays. My instructor took me to a local store, and I chose Come Back My Love by Darts. The first record I purchased with my own allowance was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was number one at the time, and I chose it when my father noted that it was by a former member of the Beatles.

The tune I perform at sing-along
I candidly actively avoid public singing and avoid it at all costs. But if forced, I’d select Summer Wind by Ol' Blue Eyes.

The track I inexplicably know each line to
I recently became aware that I can recall almost every word to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.

The ideal song to blast at a party
It relies on what stage of the evening you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by the soul legend. As the evening progresses, I’d move on to Prince, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by the electronic act, Born Slippy .NUXX by the techno pioneers, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an absolute banger.

The number I can no longer listen to
I inexplicably cannot stand Mr Brightside by the Killers.

The best track to get intimate to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

The album that transformed me
When I was 12 and starting to play the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, the glasses-wearing icon and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter brought round Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was high voltage rock ’n’roll. As soon as he placed the record on the record player, I was hooked.

The tune that wakes me in the morning
What’d I Say parts 1 & 2 by Ray Charles.

The song that brings me to tears
Most music leaves me moved. Aretha Franklin, The Chairman of the Board, Presley and the Fab Four all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and pure beauty of the voices. But The Ocean by Richard Hawley gets me going without fail.

The music I’d like to be played at my memorial service
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m buried, I’ll have Way Down.

Katherine Salazar
Katherine Salazar

A digital strategist with over a decade of experience in helping UK businesses scale through technology and marketing innovations.